Premier Campbell Newman says QGC meeting above board, but not sure who called for it

Tony Moore

Premier Campbell Newman says he cannot remember if it was his government or the QGC coal seam gas company that called for a meeting held in his chief of staff’s office.

The meeting was held in the week after allegations against QGC and Santos where lodged with the Crime and Misconduct Commission, in February 2013.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission in August 2013 subsequently found there was no evidence of official misconduct by public servants in dealing with the original approvals for the QGC and Santos’ original applications.

The original approvals were made by the previous Labor Government and Mr Newman asked the CMC investigate allegations whether the original approvals were rushed.

Greens’ Senator Larissa Waters on June 25, 2014 used parliamentary privilege to question two meetings - on February 20 and February 21, 2013 – after claims from a senior coal seam gas bureaucrat against the original approvals were first lodged with the CMC in February 2013.

The Crime and Misconduct Commission the next day issued a statement to say it had not discussed the coal seam gas applications when it briefed Premier Campbell Newman on February 20th, 2013.

A second meeting was held the next day - February 21st, 2013 – between QGC’s Rob Millhouse and government officials in the office of Mr Newman’s chief of staff, Mr Ben Myers.

Senator Waters – under parliamentary privilege – asked who arranged the meeting and what was discussed.

“Is it merely a coincidence that just days after the CMC received a potentially explosive complaint about corporate and political misconduct, the Premier met in quick succession with the CMC and then with the very company against whom the complaint was directed?” she asked.

Mr Millhouse was QGC’s vice president of policy and corporate affairs.

Mr Newman yesterday agreed a meeting was held, but said the Crime and Misconduct Commission had investigated the entire matter and found no official misconduct.

He said he did not remember who called for the meeting; his office or QGC.

“I have no idea. It was two years ago, but you know about the (two) meetings,” he said.

The meeting was held 18 months ago.

“I meet with all people who want to invest in Queensland,” Mr Newman said.

QGC said it had not pressured the government after the allegations were lodged.

“There has been no inappropriate or undue pressure on the Government or public servants from us at any time,” the company said in a statement.

“Equally, the public officials with whom we have dealt have acted entirely properly, in line with the findings of a retired Supreme Court judge appointed by the CMC.”

Mr Newman said he still found the allegations part of a negative game being played by left-wing politicians.

“I mean the CMC investigated the outrageous claims by Senator Waters,” he said.

“As usual, when the Left - whether it be the Greens, the Labor Party, or the unions – make these allegations – they are found to be false.

“And I urge Queenslanders to look beyond the smear and the nastiness of the Labor Party and the Left and to look at the substance of what this government has created for Queensland.”